All Clerk's offices will be closed for the Thanksgiving holiday on Thu, Nov 22 and Fri, Nov 23; we will reopen on Mon, Nov 26. Self-service options via the website and our 24 hour phone system will be available.

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Circuit Criminal

The Felony Department of the Clerk of the Circuit Court's office is responsible for filing, processing and maintaining records for the court system related to felony offenses. A felony is the most serious type of crime. According to federal law, for an offense to be a felony it must have a possible sentence in excess of one year. Punishment can range from incarceration in a correctional facility to the death penalty. Examples of felony offenses include: drug related crimes, murder, sex related crimes, armed robbery and other types of violent crime.

Circuit Criminal FAQs

What are my options for obtaining customer service from the Clerk's office?

If you are authorized under Florida Rules of Judicial Administration to view a court file but are unable to view in online and/or you need a copy, you may view or pick up a copy of the file at our Tampa Edgecomb or Plant City locations. To allow adequate time for redaction processing, it may take four business days for your file to be available for on-site viewing and/or pick-up. We suggest that you pre-order the file for onsite viewing or pick-up by completing the Order Form for Circuit Criminal files.

What happens after an arrest on a felony charge and I am released from the Hillsborough County Jail?

The Clerk's Office receives the initial paperwork from the Hillsborough County Jail after a felony arrest. The Felony Department prepares the official court file, including the original arrest document as well as any release forms. This information is also forwarded to the Office of the State Attorney. The State Attorney then reviews the case and makes the determination on whether or not to file formal charges.

How will I know when to come to court?

When formal charges are filed with the Clerk's Office you will be notified by mail of an arraignment date. If you bonded out of jail, your bail bond agent will be notified as well. All notices will be sent to the address that was provided at the time of arrest.

What if I move?

What is an arraignment?

An arraignment is a hearing where a defendant is advised of the formal charges filed by the State Attorney and is allowed to enter a plea to the charges. At the arraignment, a pre-trial date and possibly a trial date will be set.

Can I change my court date after notification?

The Felony Department of the Clerk's Office cannot change your court date. Please contact your attorney to help you with this issue.

How are cash bond refunds processed?

Effective July 31, 2017 the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office will continue to collect the cash bonds posted on behalf of the defendant, but will transmit the monies to the Clerk of the Circuit Court (Clerk). The Clerk will be responsible for processing the distribution of the cash bonds post disposition. More information is available in the Cash Bond Depositor Instructions.